The First Time I Turned Twenty 2004

Hannah Goldman, sixteen and Jewish, lives in the Paris suburbs with two very pretty sisters and parents who love her. Yet she carries a heavy burden of self-doubt, convinced she’s not beautiful or slim like her sisters and school friends. Despite these insecurities, she possesses two bright strengths that her family recognizes: she is sharp-minded and has an undeniable musical talent.

Driven by a dream of a career in music, she chooses an instrument that feels right for her — the double bass, an instrument traditionally played by men. Her ambition doesn’t stop there; she longs to join the jazz band at her high school, a place where women have never been welcomed and where the male tradition is fiercely guarded. When the band needs a new bassist, she auditions and, against long odds, outplays the other competitors, sending a clear message that she belongs.

What follows is a grueling test of resolve. Her four male bandmates are deeply misogynistic, clinging to a patriarchal view of training and performance. They can be blunt, and their hostility aims to undermine her morale at every turn. The pressure escalates: one rehearsals night they plot a sinister Nazi symbol on her scores to humiliate her during a concert, and they even attempt to weaken her by targeting her instrument itself.

Throughout these trials, she finds support in her family and especially her uncle, Oncle Jérémy, whose encouragement helps illuminate a path through the doubt and hostility. Hannah responds with a careful blend of intelligence, patience, and quiet resilience. She keeps practicing, refining her technique and earning new respect as she steadily proves her worth. Over time, her perseverance begins to shift the dynamics, earning the admiration of at least part of the group and showing that talent and determination can challenge a deeply entrenched bias.

The story tracks her steady ascent in a world designed to exclude her, painting a portrait of courage that grows from wit, hard work, and the unwavering belief that music belongs to everyone who can feel it, regardless of gender. Through setbacks and small victories, the film presents a nuanced, hopeful look at ambition, family support, and the power of art to break through prejudice.